2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2022 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe made a bold statement with its appearance and sound. Aside from a "4xe" badge and sky blue accents, it looked much like a regular Wrangler, with the only notable difference being the power port at the base of the windshield. When the battery had enough charge, the Wrangler 4xe moved silently, save for the pedestrian notification system's whine, which drew attention as it navigated Yosemite National Park. The interior retained the classic Wrangler's rugged simplicity, with added soft-touch materials and blue stitching to signify its PHEV status. The controls were functionally laid out, and the Rubicon trim included features like front and rear locking differentials and sway bar disconnects, hinting at its off-road prowess.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade, introduced as Hyundai's flagship SUV, replaced the Santa Fe XL and stood out with its elegant and striking design. It featured distinctive lines, a prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches, giving it a sophisticated look. The interior was equally polished, with high-quality materials and a horizontally arrayed screen. The second row offered either a bench seat or captain's chairs, and the third row was spacious enough for adults on short trips. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a worthy flagship. Our test vehicle, a Calligraphy model, was particularly stunning in Steel Graphite paint with a black interior.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 17-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This setup provided an estimated 21 miles of pure electric driving and a combined efficiency rating of 49 MPGe. When used as a hybrid, it achieved 20 mpg combined, with a total driving range of 370 miles. The Wrangler 4xe offered three powertrain modes: Hybrid, Electric, and e-Save, allowing drivers to choose between maximizing power, running solely on electric power, or saving battery power for specific situations. With a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, it could accelerate to 60 mph in six seconds. During a road trip to Yosemite, the Wrangler 4xe demonstrated its ability to recharge the battery through regenerative braking, achieving an average of 19.1 mpg over 757 miles.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade featured a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, equipped with gasoline direct injection and dual variable valve timing, offered a smooth and responsive driving experience without turbo lag. The EPA estimated fuel economy for FWD models at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined. The Palisade's four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars provided a comfortable and controlled ride. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe's high door sills and lack of side steps made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter passengers. However, once inside, the classic Wrangler driving position offered excellent visibility. The interior featured manual front seat height adjusters, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Storage space was limited due to the hand-brake and transfer case lever, with small bins and a glovebox. Rear-seat passengers had access to air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and functionality. The third row provided comfortable seating and easy access, while the second-row captain's chairs offered ample legroom and headroom. The front row featured multiple storage compartments, including a locking glove box and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space measured 18.0 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 86.4 cubic feet with both rows folded flat. An underfloor storage compartment added extra space. The Palisade's shift-by-wire gear selector and intuitive controls made for a user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon's technological advancements focused on its plug-in hybrid powertrain and 4WD system. The Uconnect infotainment system featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A WiFi connection was available, and the Alpine sound system provided adequate audio quality. However, the Uconnect system showed signs of aging in terms of load time and responsiveness. The Trip Summary data panel and charging indicator lights were helpful features for monitoring the PHEV system.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The standard display audio system on S and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models had a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and a rear-view monitor with parking guidance were standard. The Limited and Calligraphy models added a head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered advanced driving assistance systems through the Safety Group and Advanced Safety Group packages. These included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler's LED headlights received a Marginal rating from the IIHS, while the standard headlights were rated Poor. The IIHS also rated the Wrangler's small-overlap, frontal-impact protection for the driver as Marginal, with the vehicle tipping over in two tests. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler Unlimited a four-star frontal-impact crash-test rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, and more. Standard active safety features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance, forward collision-avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for both FWD and AWD models.